Jos Scholman contracting company: 100% sustainable progress with hydrogen

The ground, road and hydraulic engineering industry is on the eve of a major step in sustainability. "Or actually we are already in the middle of it, because the development that has begun, there is no turning back," says Walter Corsten, operations manager at Aannemingsbedrijf Jos Scholman. "And we shouldn't want that either." Corsten is talking about sustainability in the broadest sense of the word. "Not only in terms of operations and materials, but also during execution, it is becoming increasingly important. Virtually in every tender, sustainability plays a crucial role." 

Innovation is the credo, zero emissions the starting point

Jos Scholman, a contracting company in ground, road and hydraulic engineering, sports and cultural technology, is a company that dares to think ahead, dares to invest and embraces technological and innovative developments in sustainability. "That is the reason we decided to invest in electric hand tools and hydrogen." Corsten notes strong growth toward electric driving in the area of passenger cars. "But trucks, cranes and other infra equipment are lagging a bit behind. We have chosen hydrogen for ourselves in terms of sustainability and from a practical point of view because we see that that will bring the most return for the time being."

Dual fuel system

"We now have eleven passenger cars running on 100% hydrogen and Jos Scholman, together with an English party, has developed a dual fuel system for tractors and tool carriers so that emission-free work can be done. The conversion kit has already been applied to five tool carriers, six own tractors and some tractors for other parties. We are currently working on the conversion of two mobile excavators. Development for hydrogen-powered trucks is also in full swing, but here substantial investment and technological developments must go hand in hand."

Hydrogen fueling station

"To create a piece of independence as well as to serve others in this, we had a hydrogen fueling station built on our property." The filling station came about thanks to a collaboration between contracting company Jos Scholman and Alied Waters (along with their sister company KWR). They founded Hysolar. Van Kessel/Greenpoint was brought in to provide the knowledge and expertise in operating the gas station. Since June, the gas station has been fully operational. "We are now working on the permit for the installation of an electrolizer, and have brought on Scholt Energy for that, so that we will soon be able to produce our own green hydrogen and the circle is complete." Corsten concludes, "We are proud of the developments we are offering as a frontrunner, contributing to sustainability for generations to come."

Hysolar/Greenpoint's hydrogen fueling station fits seamlessly with the "Hydrogen in Mobility Covenant Province of Utrecht," which has now been signed by some 100 organizations.